COSTA RICA MFA SUPPORTS IAEA-CSC, BUT RATIFICATION

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000502 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN AND IO/T HVONBEHREN AND MGLOVER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KNNP TRGY ENRG KSTC IAEA PARM CS SUBJECT: COSTA RICA MFA SUPPORTS IAEA-CSC, BUT RATIFICATION WILL BE SLOW REF: STATE 54213 ¶1. We delivered reftel talking points, including paragraph 38 points for Costa Rica, and non-paper to the MFA on May 28. On June 9, we followed up with Randolph Coto, MFA Department Head for International Organizations, Disarmament and Terrorism. ¶2. On June 9, Coto responded by email that he was very familiar with the Convention as he was part of the conference delegation that negotiated it in Vienna in 1997. He told us that his office's recommendation was to sign and ratify the CSC. He indicated, however, that due to the procedures to be followed and the background of the issue, along with the fact that Costa Rica has other legislative priorities at this moment, he doubted that ratification would be possible in the short term. He said that he would speak to Jorge Aguilar in the MFA's Office of Treaties to explore possibilities, however. ¶3. We asked Coto to keep us informed. We will inform if/when we receive new information. CIANCHETTE